Lukla is in Solukhumbu district, Koshi Province, in the Himal belt of Nepal.

What is the altitude of Lukla?

About 2,860 m (9,384 ft) above sea level.

How much does it cost to visit Lukla?

For a 3-day trip from Janakpur, about NPR 56,500 (≈ US$420) per person on a budget, or NPR 61,000 (≈ US$450) with standard hotels and private transport — for two foreign visitors sharing, including transport, stay, food. Nepali visitors on a budget: about NPR 24,500 per person. These are estimates; adjust them in the trip planner.

How many days do I need for Lukla?

Plan 1 night there; with travel from Janakpur and back, about 3 days in all.

Do I need a permit or ticket for Lukla?

No special permit or ticket is normally needed.

When is the best time to visit Lukla?

October–November; March–May

How do I get to Lukla?

30–40 minute flight from Kathmandu or 20 minutes from Ramechhap. It is about 133 km (straight line) from Janakpur, and usually reached by flight.

Lukla

Name: Lukla
Address: Solukhumbu, Koshi Province, NP

City & bazaar Himal1 min readUpdated: October 2026

In Nepali: लुक्ला

Lukla, Solukhumbu — Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Gateway to Everest, with the famous short, sloping runway of Tenzing–Hillary Airport.

Lukla owes its existence to the airstrip that Edmund Hillary helped build in 1964. Today the Tenzing–Hillary Airport handles dozens of small planes a day in good weather, landing uphill on a runway of about 500 m that ends at a rock wall.

The town is a string of lodges, bakeries, gear shops and porter agencies. Flights are often delayed by cloud, so leave a spare day or two at the end of any Everest trip. In busy seasons many flights now leave from Ramechhap (Manthali) instead of Kathmandu.

What to see and do

Lukla is mainly a place to arrive and leave, but it is worth watching the planes land and take off from the airport's viewing points — a remarkable piece of mountain flying. The main street has bakeries, cafés, gear shops and the offices of porter and guide cooperatives. A short walk leads to Chaurikharka and its monastery.

Good to know

Flights operate only in good visibility, usually in the morning; afternoon cloud often halts them, and delays of a day or more are common in unsettled weather. Keep your baggage within the small-plane limit (usually around 15 kg including hand luggage). In peak seasons many flights use Ramechhap (Manthali), a 4–5 hour drive from Kathmandu. An alternative is to drive to Phaplu, Salleri or Thamdanda and walk in.

Quick answers

Where is Lukla?: Lukla is in Solukhumbu district, Koshi Province, in the Himal belt of Nepal.
What is the altitude of Lukla?: About 2,860 m (9,384 ft) above sea level.
How much does it cost to visit Lukla?: For a 3-day trip from Janakpur, about NPR 56,500 (≈ US$420) per person on a budget, or NPR 61,000 (≈ US$450) with standard hotels and private transport — for two foreign visitors sharing, including transport, stay, food. Nepali visitors on a budget: about NPR 24,500 per person. These are estimates; adjust them in the trip planner.
How many days do I need for Lukla?: Plan 1 night there; with travel from Janakpur and back, about 3 days in all.
Do I need a permit or ticket for Lukla?: No special permit or ticket is normally needed.
When is the best time to visit Lukla?: October–November; March–May
How do I get to Lukla?: 30–40 minute flight from Kathmandu or 20 minutes from Ramechhap. It is about 133 km (straight line) from Janakpur, and usually reached by flight.
What is Lukla called in Nepali?: लुक्ला